{Tutorial} Easy Peasy Headband

I love projects that you can whip up in less than ten minutes (unless you are like me and have to get out your sewing machine and supplies every time you want to craft :) ).

Sorry for the flat hair- one of those never-got-out-of-my-workout-clothes days

Supplies:
Ribbon of your choice
Thick hair tie
Thread

Instructions:
1.  Measure head and cut ribbon.  I had a 22 inch head and cut my ribbon to 19 inches since the ribbon that I had was a little stretchy- or else I would probably cut it to 21 inches.

2.  Loop one end around your hair tie and sew it together and make sure you backstitch all the was across as well.

3.  Do the same thing to the other side making a complete circle, but make sure to test it around your head with your hands to see if it will fit.

See! Easy Peasy!!!  Once you know the technique you can do fun things like the headband I made for Easter with ribbons and stuff you have around the house.

I just went up to step 2, braided the three ribbons and then continued with step 3.  I made a bow and then used my handy dandy glue gun to adhere it.

As always, I would love to see if you make one and what other fun ideas you make for your headband!

Year of Plenty {Lemons}

As most of you know, we moved into our house in August of last year, to the land of nearly deads and newlyweds (as many people call it).  One of the things that I feel in love with was the fruit trees in the backyard, one lemon, the other kumquat.  This year, this was our surplus of lemons (plus another 6 full plastic grocery bags) from our "organic" tree (I don't even water because it does so well).

We have been making lemonade, lemon muffins, lemons in water-tea-anything liquid, and lemon bars.  Here is a great recipe for lemon bars if you have this many lemons on your hands too!

Summer Lemon Bars

1/4 cup butter
2/3 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
Mix and put into a 9 X 13 in pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp. flour
Juice of one to two lemons
Mix and pour over the other mixture and bake for 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle powdered sugar over while warm, let cool and then serve!

{Repurpose} Baby Dress

It is spring and in this household, it means that I go through everything and donate as much as I can.  It tends to be a hard process because I always end up going through the bags again and see what I can keep or repurpose.

This shirt has some history.  It was my sister's, which she purchased at my alma mater, San Diego State University.  She then gave it to me and I wore it for our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding.  I just couldn't donate it, and after LB it doesn't fit anymore.  So I decided to make it into a dress for LB.  It was my first time to make something without a pattern.  I intended to make a 6 month dress, but I think it turned into a 12 month dress instead.  Here's the final result, what do you think?

Flower Detail

Linked up here (and also our latest party to join Homemaker in Heels).

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  It was our first Easter as a little family and it could not have been better.

Our Little Family

HE IS RISEN Mark 16:6

Happy Good Friday and Earth Day!

Isn't this such a great day, Good Friday and Earth Day.  So many people have been choosing one or the other and for me I love the fact that Good Friday starts the celebration of our Savior and maker of the earth, Jesus.  I also love that it reminds me that we are to be good stewards of this earth.

I have not always been the best steward of the envrionment but I have been trying to get better and take small steps.  We recycle anything we can.  We try to always take one car, or carpool with our family nearby if possible.  I am really strict about saving electricity.  My next endeavor is cloth diapering.

Image from Fuzzibunz, isn't it just the cutest.

I bought 18 fuzzibunz one size and can't wait for them to come to make the transition.   Not only will it save tons of money (at least $50.00 a month) but it also saves waste from entering the landfills.

Happy Good Friday and Happy Earth Day!

{I have been doing tons of crafts and I should have them up tomorrow- thanks for your patience!}

Slow Cooker Suppers

I have to admit something to all of you and it is not pretty.  I am having an affair...with my slow cooker.  I absolutely love cooking dinners in my slow cooker for a number of reasons but here are a couple of the top ones:
1.  If you are entertaining, you can make the mess earlier in the day, throw everything in the slow cooker and then clean up so your house looks (almost) spotless when your guest arrive- which is harder to achieve now that LB is here.
2.  Dinner is already prepped and almost ready by the time you would normally start cooking, therefore when it has been a long day and cooking is the last thing on your mind, the food is done and it saves you from eating out or eating fast food.

{via}

So in honor of my little love affair, I am posting a great shredded chicken recipe that is made from things things laying around the house, making it so easy to make!

River Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup vinegar
1 1/3 cup oil (I used olive)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Throw all the ingredients together in a bowl (minus the chicken) and whisk.  Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray add chicken breasts and then pour liquids over.  Cook on high for 5 to 6 hours, shredding chicken thirty minutes prior to the end of the cooking time.  Serve and enjoy!  I use mine for make-your-own-burritos-bar.

{THANKS}

So today was less than ideal.  It started off great with a Momspace at our church and I was able to enjoy great fellowship with my sister in law.  I was so grateful that I had a SIL that I could do that with. But the less than ideal part was that LB screamed the whole day, which is so unlike her.  I think she must be teething...but at 3 months?!?!?  Has anyone else experienced teething so early?  The only thing that calms her is sucking on my finger or hand and practically gumming it raw.

But on a good note, I am so thankful for all of you.  I'm at thirty followers as of today and that is beyond my wildest dreams!!!  I would love to offer guest posts on here to my followers so if you are interested, leave a comment and we can chat.